A sixth law of nature, is this, _that upon caution of the future time, a man ought to pardon the offences past of them that repenting, desire it_. For PARDON, is nothing but granting of peace; which though granted to them that persevere in their hostility, be not peace, but fear; yet not granted to them that give caution of the future time, is sign of an aversion to peace; and therefore contrary to the law of nature. [Sidenote: The seventh, that in revenges, men respect only the future good.] A seventh is, _that in revenges_, that is, retribution of evil for evil, _men look not at the greatness of the evil past, but the greatness of the good to follow_. Whereby we are forbidden to inflict punishment with any other design, than for correction of the offender, or direction of others. For this law is consequent to the next before it, that commandeth pardon, upon security of the future time. Besides, revenge without respect to the example, and profit to come, is a triumph, or glorying in the hurt of another, tending to no end; for the end is always somewhat to come; and glorying to no end, is vain-glory, and contrary to reason, and to hurt without reason, tendeth to the introduction of war; which is against the law of nature; and is commonly styled by the name of _cruelty_. [Sidenote: The eighth, against contumely.] And because all signs of hatred, or contempt, provoke to fight; insomuch as most men choose rather to hazard their life, than not to be revenged; we may in the eighth place, for a law of nature, set down this precept, _that no man by deed, word, countenance, or gesture, declare hatred, or contempt of another_. The breach of which law, is commonly called _contumely_. [Sidenote: The ninth, against pride.]